Using Birds, Flowers And Butterflies To Promote Tourism

Monday, October 1st 2007, 6:19 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) -- The city of Muskogee hopes to attract more tourists using a nature-based marketing program. City officials say the "Birds, Blooms and Butterflies" program is designed to encourage people who come for the eastern Oklahoma city's annual Azalea Festival to return for bird and butterfly watching.

Mayor Wren Stratton says she expects the program to have critics but says it should pay for itself.

Seth Davidson, a Los Angeles attorney and a former president of a company specializing in nature and heritage tourism, says Muskogee's idea to use nature to attract tourists is a good one.

He says the wildlife resources in the area are outstanding. He also says that bird watchers typically are more upscale in nature and have more disposable income.